Summary
The “Online Nation 2023” report provides a comprehensive overview of the UK’s digital landscape, highlighting trends in internet usage, the popularity of online services, and the digital experiences of both adults and children. It covers a broad spectrum of online activities, including social media usage, online gaming, and educational tools, as well as the impact of generative AI tools among various age groups.
Key Points
- UK adults spent an average of 3 hours 41 minutes per day online in May 2023.
- Alphabet and Meta-owned sites and apps are the most visited in the UK.
- A quarter of UK internet users have utilized a VPN.
- Three-quarters of online time by adults in May 2023 was spent on smartphones.
- Generative AI tools are used by three in ten UK internet users aged 16+.
- Social media’s popularity varies by age, with YouTube being the most popular platform among adults.
- Online gaming is a significant activity, with 38% of UK adults and 57% of children engaging in it.
- Educational services like Times Tables Rockstars and Duolingo are popular among children aged 8-12.
- Misinformation is the most prevalent potential harm encountered online by adults.
- Children and teenagers are more likely to recognize the internet’s benefits for their mental health compared to adults.
- A significant proportion of children use adult profiles on social media, increasing their risk of exposure to inappropriate content.
- Awareness and attitudes towards online safety and reporting tools vary significantly among different user groups.
Key Statistics
- Internet Use: 3 hours 41 minutes average daily use by adults in May 2023.
- Generative AI: 30% of UK internet users have used a generative AI tool.
- Social Media: YouTube is the most popular among adults; 91% of adults visited it in May 2023.
- Online Gaming: 38% of UK adults play games online.
- Educational Services: Times Tables Rockstars and Duolingo are the most popular among 8-12-year-olds.
- Misinformation: 39% of adults encountered misinformation online in the past four weeks.
Key Takeaways
- The internet is an integral part of daily life for the majority of the UK population, with significant time spent online across various devices.
- Alphabet and Meta dominate the online space, with their platforms being the most visited by UK users.
- The use of generative AI tools is on the rise, with a notable adoption among younger users.
- Social media preferences vary by age, with platforms like YouTube and TikTok being particularly popular among younger demographics.
- Online gaming is a prevalent activity, with a considerable portion of the population engaging in it.
- Educational tools are widely used by children, indicating the internet’s role in supporting learning.
- Misinformation poses a significant challenge, with a large number of adults encountering it.
- There is a need for increased awareness and better tools to safeguard against online harms, especially for younger users.
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